New Delhi: India olcalled for rigorous screening and testing of fliers coming from South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana, where a new variant of COVID-19 has been found with multiple mutations that have led to a surge in infections.
In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan asked them to ensure that samples of travellers turning positive are sent to designated genome sequencing laboratories promptly. The contacts of these international travellers must also be closely tracked and tested as per Health Ministry guidelines, he said.
“lt has now been reported by NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) that multiple cases of a COVID-19 variant B.1.1529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Honk Kong (1 case). This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel,” the letter read.
